Carla was nervous, as she fidgeted in the backseat of the police car. She didn’t know what to do or say. Licking her lips nervously as she swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. Not even bothering to look up as she spoke in a small voice “Um...excuse me but where are we going Mr. Alien. Also can I ask your name....my name is Carla Johnson.” She brought her head up to try and focus on the back of his silver hair, as she hoped for a simple answer and not him yelling at her. “You don’t need to know my name female. You will simply call me master or as you have been addressing me,” the alien stated flatly, not even bothering to turn towards her as he spoke. “Oh...but..I”, she stuttered timidly, unsure of what she was even trying to say. “Remember what will happen to ‘Laine’ if you don’t do as I say. An I am saying to keep your damn mouth shut”, he snapped, his tone cold. Carla’s eyes widen as she shook her head from side to side. “Please don’t,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is your last warning do not talk unless spoken too. Do not make me more irritated then I already am,” the alien snapped. He turned his attention to the driver of the vehicle and barked something at him in his own language. Carla knew that she was on thin ice for some reason, she just hoped that from here on out things would get better.

Aza growled low under his breath, as his tongue ran along the top of his fangs in nervous habit.  They were on their way to the base that housed the transports and processing center for captured humans. He hated going to the processing center, and having to do the actual work of getting the humans ready for transport. He found the whole procedure boring and aggravating. The human’s would either whimper while they went through, or they would fight and have to be forced through. Not only would they show such tedious antics, but it usually earned them a beating that he was forced to supervise. “When will we be arriving!?”, he growled to the Sato that was driving. “In less then then twenty minutes your highness”, the Sato said flatly his eyes never leaving the road.  He let out a grunt in acknowledgment as he leaned against the window and let his mind wander to his upcoming bonding ceremony.

Aza blinked in surprise as his tsukai relayed the news of him being bonded to their former enemies prince. "What is the meaning of this tsukai?" he snapped, his hands clenching into fists.  How dare his tsukai offer his last living heir as a prize of 'good will' to those Junirk bastards. He schooled his features not to show the anger he felt, but instead let a small smirk cross his lips. He couldn't go against his emperor, though he could despise him with all his being. “As you know the first year anniversary of the peace treaty is coming up, and we need to show the Sato along with the Junirk that we aim to keep to that treaty. Aza most of our people are unable to give or bere young, and the ones that are able too, can only do one or the other. So for the first time in our history we actually have to worry about the possibility of our race dying out,” his tsukai said softly, in an almost defeated tone. Aza looked to the emperor curiously, he had never heard him talk like this. Usually his arrogance and pride was greater than the boundaries of his kingdom. The once flawless alabaster skin that was his face, now looked yellowed and aged. For him to look so haggard and sound so tired, meant that their people, and their world was in trouble. “I know how much animosity you have towards the Junirk and me. However I will never apologize for everything I put you through, and I hope you are not foolish enough to expect such a thing. You will however carry out your duties and prove that your life was not spared lightly,” his tsukai stated coldly, his silver eyes holding no sympathy for the situation that he had placed his last and only child in. Aza nodded his head as he stated in a monotone voice “Yes, my emperor.”

  Aza snapped out of his daze, as the vehicle came to an abrupt stop in front of an old hospital that had been converted to be one of their bases of operation. “We are here my liege”, said the driver. Aza nodded his head as he mumbled more to himself then to the other occupants, while quickly getting out of the car.

Carla was scared, scared didn’t even begin to cover it, more like petrified. Carla tried to calm her breathing as her hands shook in her lap. “Get out female,”  she heard the alien say in a gruff manner, but she wasn’t really listening. Her eyes remained on her quivering hands, as she kept taking shallow breaths. She felt a panic attack coming on, as her heart seemed to leap up in her throat. She glanced to the open car door, and as if on autopilot she scooted out and placed her feet on the ground. She didn't even hear the car door slam as she was yanked toward a building she couldn't  make out in her blurry state.  Carla let the alien pull her along, as she kept her eyes averted to the ground. Only half listening to the chaotic noise that surrounded her. The alien suddenly stopped causing Carla to bump into him, and thus earning a low warning growl. "Human", he snapped as he let her wrist go, causing Carla’s eyes to widen in anxiety. Oh god, he is going to kill me, she thought, her eyes closing in anticipation for the blow that was sure to come. Then without warning she felt something small and plastic shoved into her hands, followed by a muttered response of words she didn't understand. Looking down she could see that it was her glasses that she thought had been left behind. Blinking slowly in surprise as she placed them on her face. Once the glasses were adjusted to her liking, she glanced over to the alien fully intending to tell him off for his unnecessary cruelty. However the venom on her tongue quickly disappeared as she openly stared at him. The first time they met she didn't really see him, her mind too shocked to take in any real details. The second time she could only see his face, but now she could actually get a good look at him. Wow. He is shorter than me. and he is nothing more then a boy, she thought. Granted he was only about two or three inches shorter than her 5'8 and was probably in his late teens, but still this alien was so frail looking now that she could see him clearly. His lanky frame was covered by a simple grey shirt with black pants. Though he looked to be skinny and petite looking she could see that, he had defined muscles that she had experienced first hand. She wasn’t weak but she knew the aliens no matter how frail looking where at least twice as strong as an average human. The silky silver hair that she ached to run her hands through, fell down in a braid to his back. She couldn’t help but let her lips form a small smile. He is exactly like a miniature  ‘Sephiroth” from her favorite game ‘Final Fantasy VII’, she thought, that small idea bringing a sense of joy, taking what little comforts and familiarity she could get.

"Stop smiling like an idiot," the alien snapped, as his hand shot out to grab her wrist once more. "Come on,” he growled, as he dragged her down a corridor. Carla tried to keep up with the boy’s fast pace, as he dragged her along, but she ended up tripping over her feet and falling into his back once more. “Clumsy bitch!”, he snarled. His head whipping around to bare his fangs at her. “I'm sorry Mr.Alien”, she stammered, her eyes never leaving his sharp canines. “Your trying my patience female" he hissed, as he turned continuing to pull her down the hall way.  Not even two minutes later he stopped in front of an old ER entrance, turning to the guard at the door he shoved her towards him as he quickly spoke in his language. Turning his gaze on her, his lip curled in disgust before he turned and to walk out of sight.

He was so glad to be rid of that Irritating female he thought as he stretched his hands over his head. A knock at the door catching his attention as he bid the person to enter. Aza sighed softly as he let out a small groan of aggravation, upon seeing the general. "Can I help you sir?", he asked in a strained voice. He narrowed his eyes at the general in irritation when his question went unanswered. Aza supposed that for a Junirk the general was handsome, but the general was only a year older than his nineteen summers. His dark blue hair fell in a shag cut ending at his shoulders, with bangs held at bay by a silver circlet on his forehead. He had a soft oval face, that resembled what the humans would call cute. His skin was flawless and a perfect hue, just a few shades darker than Aza's pale color. He heard one human female call it peaches and cream, though he didn't know what that exactly was, it seemed to fit him. He had mesmerizing golden eyes that were slanted and held a hard glint in them. The general inched closer towards Aza, his large pointed ears were perked in interest as he approached. Aza ignored him as he casually kept eyeing his soon to be bond-mate. The Junirk was taller then Aza, standing about 6'2 to his 5'6. The uniform he wore was that of the old American army. The green fatigues molding to his slight muscular frame. The Sato growled low in his throat in warning for the general not to approach any closer than the foot of the bed. Even though his people were stronger by nature, Aza knew that the general however out matched him, but still he couldn't help but show his displeasure at being in such close quarters with him. "I heard you caught a human female, and that you were willingly interacting with her. Is this true," he asked, his blue eyebrows cocked in interest. "I think you need to mind your own business!", Aza snapped. He had no reason to explain his actions to the likes of him. Then before Aza could yell for him to leave, the general pulled him off the bed. The Sato's body landing with a thud on the hard tile floor. "Remember mate" he growled low, stressing the mate part as he placed his booted foot on Aza's chest, "you are mine to do with as I please and if I ask a question you answer. Do I make myself clear?" the general stated calmly, all the while applying pressure towards the boy's chest. Aza let out a grunt of acknlowedgement, as the boot was removed from his chest. "By the way, I want you to start addressing me by my name since we are going to be bonded together soon.", the general said in a clipped voice as he walked towards the door. "Understand?", he asked. Aza slowly rose to his feet as he glanced at the general and in a strained voice he muttered "Yes Vita. I understand."

            Carla gulped as the guard took her to one of the old exam rooms and then without another word he was gone. She had no clue what she was supposed to do, or what to expect. She heard a sniffle in the far off corner, causing her head to snap to the cause of the noise. A girl that looked no older than seventeen was sitting as far back into the corner as she could, her head bent to her knees as she sobbed softly.

“Hey are you okay?”, she asked sincerely, as she slowly approached the crying girl. The girl’s head snapped up, her hazel eyes were red and puffy from crying. The girl looked at her warely, her eyes full of mistrust. Carla stretched out her left hand in a peace offering as she smiled brightly at the girl. “What is your name? My name is Carla. Well actually its Starshine Carla Johnson. I’m so glad to see another human. You have no idea how lonely I’ve been,” she said quickly, her tone cheerful and inviting. The girl sniffled one last time and then looked from her face to her hand. Tentatively she placed her carmel hand in Carla’s milk chocolate one, and clasped it tightly. Carla smiled softly as she helped the girl up. She was so happy to see another human that she couldn’t stop the beaming expression. Her hand not even letting up in grip even as the girl stood on her feet. A door opening interrupted the girl who looked as if she was about to speak. Both girls turned their head to see who entered, their eyes widening when they saw it was the guard that had escorted them into the room. He pointed to Carla and motioned for her to come to him. The girl gave her hand a comforting squeeze as she gave her a sad smile. Carla squeezed her hand back, before she let it go. Slowly and cautiously she walked over to the guard, who grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room.

            Aza tapped his foot impatiently as they escorted the last human out of the judging room. They had found one of the girls that were brought in unworthy of the gift of life, and so was being sent off to be executed.  He had always hated being included in the judging meetings, most of the humans always did the expected and either begged to live or just gave up. “Here is the girl you request be processed as soon as possible general.”said the guard as he shoved a familiar looking human into the room. Aza blinked, his gaze turned toward Vita and then to the human female. What was her name, Aza wondered. He was surprised that he even tried to remember it. A small smirk of pleasure formed on his lips, as he watched her squirm in the middle of the room. He then turned his head to watch the general contemplate the girl who stood unsure of what to do. “So human”, the general began, his hands clasping one another on the table. “I can see that your genes do not bless you with the gift of eyesight. Is there any other faults that you have, and answer truthfully because if your deception is discovered you will wish for the quick death that is blessed upon those who own up to their faults at the beginning,” the general stated coldly. Aza let out a chuckle causing everyone to look in his direction, he quickly schooled his face to remain impassive. The girl’s eyes had gotten wider, but yet she didn’t start crying and begging. That was most unexpected from her, mused Aza, as he watched the girl try to calm her ragged breaths into something more passable as uncaring. “Well....as you said I’m pretty much blind without my glasses. I guess I'm a little bit on the heavy side, but my mom used to say I was just healthy. I don’t have any real talents per say, but I learn fast. Um.......also you could say that I am very clumsy,” she said her voice shaking ever so slightly as she spoke each word. Aza quirked an eyebrow up in curiosity, he wasn’t expecting her honesty, and though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, he did find it a rather redeeming quality. “I see”, said the general, his tone betraying nothing as he spoke, “so what makes you think you deserve the gift of life then?” he asked, coldly. Aza could only smile as the girl’s head dropped to the floor, before she averted her gaze her heart looked like it was breaking.

Carla shook her head from side to side as she contemplated his words. What did make her deserve life? Is it because her parents gave up their lives so she could live?, she thought somberly to herself. She averted her gaze from the aliens that sat at the desk, her fist clenched in anger at the alien’s question. “I may not deserve it. I don’t think its my place to say that.” she said softly, her face shooting up as her eyes blazed with confidence for the first time in a long time. She figured that if she was going to be killed she might as well say what she wanted to and die with no regrets. “I do know that I’m not good at a lot, and I may not be the the sharpest tool in the shed, but I am someone who has never given up. That is my strength and talent. I know that as long as I don’t give up then I will keep on living. You may judge me on my superficial qualities such as beauty, grace, and maybe even my skills in cooking, but let me tell you that you will never meet someone who will always do her best until the very end. So yes! Go ahead and judge me now for who I am. I am Starshine Carla Johnson and DAMN IT don’t you forget it!’ she yelled, her hand shooting out to point at the aliens that sat behind the long table.

He couldn’t take it anymore, as Aza burst out laughing. His gut clenching as his hand shot out to hold his side.

The general looked from the hysterically laughing Aza to the confused girl that stood before them. Interesting he mused to himself, I can use her. The general waved his hand to the guard standing by the door, “Guards take her to be processed she has been given the gift of life”, he said, a small smile gracing his lips as the female was draged out the room.